Mayor pedals for cancer ride

By now, most people have probably heard about the Enbridge Ride to Conquer Cancer.

It’s a two-day ride, starting in Vancouver and ending in Seattle, and a major fundraiser for the BC Cancer Foundation. Some may even know cyclists who’ve made the arduous trek.

Now, Harrison’s Mayor Ken Becotte, has decided to take the challenge. And he’s looking for his community’s support.

To date, Becotte has raised about $1,950 of the $2,500 needed to enter the race. And while that seems like a lot of money, he says there is one rider who has already raised over $60,000. (To read his story, visit www.conquercancer.ca and search for Paul Balfour.)

Both Becotte’s father and his wife’s father lost their lives to cancer, one of the major reasons he’s pushing to do the ride.

But he’s also excited about the ride itself.

“I’ve mountain biked for years, and I’ve been wanting to do more road cycling,” he says. “This will be a good challenge, to ride from Vancouver to Seattle.”

The ride takes place June 18 and 19, and all money raised will go toward the BC Cancer Foundation, which raises funds exclusively for the BC Cancer Agency.

The BC Cancer Agency has announced seven major research breakthroughs in genomics, ovarian, breast and lymphoma cancers over the last two years, according to the Ride’s website.

“All of them were published in leading international peer-reviewed journals, and widely acknowledged in the global scientific community. And all of them were made possible because of the generosity of BC Cancer Foundation donors,” the site says.

To support Becotte, visit www.conquercancer.ca, click on the green ‘donate’ button, and search for his name.

Bike to Work Week

In keeping with the same theme, Becotte is rallying the community to pull out their own bicycles for Bike to Work Week, May 30 to June 5.

Just by participating, riders who chose to park their car that week can win a brand new bike from Life Cycles in Abbotsford.

You can create a workplace team, even if that team is just one person.

Becotte says that there will be a community celebration during that week, and he’s hoping people will come out with the bicycles and enjoy all the trails and biking areas around Harrison.